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Shoulder Motor Balks on Opportunity's Robotic Arm

nasa.gov — A small motor in the robotic arm of NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity that began stalling occasionally more than two years ago has become more troublesome recently. +Video Gallery

Who dugg this? Made popular Aug 27, 2008

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  • mountainbiker, on 08/27/2008, -0/+6planned to last only 90 days...now operating for around 1700...I'd say that's pretty damn good. sad to see the day when they finally shut down.
  • gavinhudson, on 08/27/2008, -0/+4Otherwise stated: NASA robot has trouble getting it up.
  • ChstrCopperpot, on 08/27/2008, -0/+3Sounds nice, but i'll pass on the $800 million sticker price.
  • robbh66, on 08/27/2008, -0/+1You obviously do not know anybody who has ever owned a BMW. While I'll agree it's a pretty ***** sweet ride, and I really want an X6 or M6, the maintenance on those cars is nasty.
  • cawpin, on 08/27/2008, -0/+1Are you ***** serious? If you put a BMW up against a Ford and did NO maintenance it wouldn't be a contest. Ford FTW.
  • inactive, on 08/27/2008, -0/+1Maybe now, but that wouldn't be the case a few years ago
  • cawpin, on 08/27/2008, -0/+1WTF? Don't digg him down. It's the correct link.
  • MarsPhoenix, on 08/28/2008, -0/+0Hey, this story is a bit outdated. The shoulder issue started in April (see http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/mer/news/mer-200 ... but since then a "work around" has been devised (those rover engineers are incredible). Now Opportunity drives with her arm in the "unstowed" position in front of her to lessen the amount of shoulder movement. You can read about Oppy's shoulder rehab (it's really quite interesting) here: http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/mission/status_oppo ... (read the entry for May 19, and May 08 right below it) Both Spirit and Oppy have arthritis in their joints and their wheels have balked a few times too, but who can blame them after they've lasted four years past their expected lifetimes.
  • cmansley, on 08/27/2008, -4/+3Try this link instead
    http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/mer/news/mer-200 ...
  • junglespinner, on 08/27/2008, -2/+1NASA should start a new division to build cars. Then maybe we (America) could actually produce something on the level of the BMW M3. The robot's motor started having problems two years ago, yet is still running, and is only being called "more troublesome" now? Show me your Ford that can hold up for two years with no maintenance, let alone after stalling occasionally.

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